I helped lead a church in central WA through a name change a few years ago. We talked to people at two other churches in our Classis who had changed their names in prior 15+ years. The legal part was easy, you fill out a form with the secretary of state https://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/. Search for Articles of Amendment Nonprofit Corporation and pay the $20 amendment fee.
All three churches (45-100+ years old) removed CRC from their names and did not use the word “Reformed” in their new name in an attempt to be more “unchurched” friendly. All three churches wanted to reach new people. However, none of the churches made other substantial changes. In the end, the name changes did not make much difference to the trajectory of the ministry. The churches did not reach new people more successfully than in their past. Years later, two of the three churches had declined even more and then made more drastic changes such that the ministries are now substantially different, including more name changes.
A little research I saved from our process…
In the book, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, Thom Rainer (2001) wrote…
p.38, Myth – the un-churched are turned off by denominational names in the church name. More than 80% don’t care and 10% more don’t know.
Study findings (2013) released by Grey Matter Research (Phoenix, Arizona) among a demographically representative sample of 773 American adults examine the impact of including or excluding a denominational reference in church names. Most churches that are part of a denomination include a denominational reference in their name, but some avoid such references, selecting names such as Saddleback Church or Community Church of Joy. What impact does that have?
In the study, Grey Matter Research asked both the unchurched and people who regularly attend a denominational Protestant church about the impact of a church including a denominational reference in its name. Interestingly, there are only a few places where churchgoers and the unchurched disagree. The research reveals that the decision to include or exclude a denominational reference in the name is a two-edged sword, with advantages and disadvantages to both choices.
On one hand, when people see a church with a denominational reference in its name, they are over four times more likely to perceive that church as formal. Denominational references are also three times more likely to make people see that church as old-fashioned, and almost three times more likely to make them feel it is structured and rigid. The lack of a denominational reference is also three times more likely to lead people to feel that the church is open-minded.
On the other hand, including a denominational reference is more than twice as likely to help people feel the church is honest. Excluding a denominational reference is more than twice as likely to give people feelings of uncertainty, and almost five times more likely to lead to thoughts that the church may be trying to hide what they believe.
…People who attend a denominational Protestant church believe (by a margin of 33% to 20%) that a church with its denomination in its name would be more welcoming to visitors. But the unchurched, by a very similar margin, have exactly the opposite perception (30% to 19%). In each case, about half feel the name will NOT impact how they perceive the church.
Also, we asked the other CRC church leaders... What would you suggest to a council member of a CRC church considering a name change? (They responded...)
“It was good but it wasn’t that big of a deal”
“We’re still who we are.” If the name is a stumbling block, we should change it.
You must change more than your name… Whether that’s with worship or whatever, just changing the name is meaningless or pointless. Be clear about why you are changing and then see what else you can add or change to complement the new name.
Give everybody an opportunity to propose a name. Talk about what part of the name would appeal to someone who isn’t going to a church. This would give more buy-in to the name change. Be intentional with getting people to think about whatever change you intend to make.
Get the congregation involved. Pray a lot for a start. Pray that the congregation can have ownership and know that they’ve been part of the process and that they’re an important part of any change and if it will be a meaningful change.
In summary, be sure you know why you want to make a change and what result you seek. And more importantly, know that you will need to change a LOT more than the church name if you want your ministry to change.
May God give you and your leaders wisdom in your discussions,
Posted in: Has Your Church Undergone a Name Change?
Hi Dale,
I helped lead a church in central WA through a name change a few years ago. We talked to people at two other churches in our Classis who had changed their names in prior 15+ years. The legal part was easy, you fill out a form with the secretary of state https://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/. Search for Articles of Amendment Nonprofit Corporation and pay the $20 amendment fee.
All three churches (45-100+ years old) removed CRC from their names and did not use the word “Reformed” in their new name in an attempt to be more “unchurched” friendly. All three churches wanted to reach new people. However, none of the churches made other substantial changes. In the end, the name changes did not make much difference to the trajectory of the ministry. The churches did not reach new people more successfully than in their past. Years later, two of the three churches had declined even more and then made more drastic changes such that the ministries are now substantially different, including more name changes.
A little research I saved from our process…
In the book, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, Thom Rainer (2001) wrote…
p.38, Myth – the un-churched are turned off by denominational names in the church name. More than 80% don’t care and 10% more don’t know.
Study findings (2013) released by Grey Matter Research (Phoenix, Arizona) among a demographically representative sample of 773 American adults examine the impact of including or excluding a denominational reference in church names. Most churches that are part of a denomination include a denominational reference in their name, but some avoid such references, selecting names such as Saddleback Church or Community Church of Joy. What impact does that have?
In the study, Grey Matter Research asked both the unchurched and people who regularly attend a denominational Protestant church about the impact of a church including a denominational reference in its name. Interestingly, there are only a few places where churchgoers and the unchurched disagree. The research reveals that the decision to include or exclude a denominational reference in the name is a two-edged sword, with advantages and disadvantages to both choices.
On one hand, when people see a church with a denominational reference in its name, they are over four times more likely to perceive that church as formal. Denominational references are also three times more likely to make people see that church as old-fashioned, and almost three times more likely to make them feel it is structured and rigid. The lack of a denominational reference is also three times more likely to lead people to feel that the church is open-minded.
On the other hand, including a denominational reference is more than twice as likely to help people feel the church is honest. Excluding a denominational reference is more than twice as likely to give people feelings of uncertainty, and almost five times more likely to lead to thoughts that the church may be trying to hide what they believe.
…People who attend a denominational Protestant church believe (by a margin of 33% to 20%) that a church with its denomination in its name would be more welcoming to visitors. But the unchurched, by a very similar margin, have exactly the opposite perception (30% to 19%). In each case, about half feel the name will NOT impact how they perceive the church.
Also, we asked the other CRC church leaders... What would you suggest to a council member of a CRC church considering a name change? (They responded...)
“It was good but it wasn’t that big of a deal”
“We’re still who we are.” If the name is a stumbling block, we should change it.
You must change more than your name… Whether that’s with worship or whatever, just changing the name is meaningless or pointless. Be clear about why you are changing and then see what else you can add or change to complement the new name.
Give everybody an opportunity to propose a name. Talk about what part of the name would appeal to someone who isn’t going to a church. This would give more buy-in to the name change. Be intentional with getting people to think about whatever change you intend to make.
Get the congregation involved. Pray a lot for a start. Pray that the congregation can have ownership and know that they’ve been part of the process and that they’re an important part of any change and if it will be a meaningful change.
In summary, be sure you know why you want to make a change and what result you seek. And more importantly, know that you will need to change a LOT more than the church name if you want your ministry to change.
May God give you and your leaders wisdom in your discussions,
Andy